Relating to a transitional cultural period between the Paleolithic and Neolithic ages, characterized by early agricultural experiments and tool developments.
From epi- (Greek 'upon') + Paleolithic (from Greek paleo- 'ancient' + lithos 'stone'). Archaeologists coined this term to describe cultures transitioning 'upon' or 'after' the Paleolithic.
Archaeologists created 'Epipaleolithic' to describe that weird 200,000-year period when humans were experimenting with farming but still hunting and gathering—it's literally defined as the 'in-between' that doesn't fit anywhere else! It shows how history doesn't come in neat packages.
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